I remember that Andy Baird had removed most if not all the valances in his LD, but I don't keep pics of his work. Are there any other LDOs who have removed and/or recovered any of their valances? For those who have removed and/or recovered their valances, could you post a pic of the results? And finally, I've spent a good amount of time trying to figure out how to remove the valances and that step it still a mystery to me. And suggestions for this last step?
Margee and I would like to recover the valances in the dinette area of a MB during our short winter months. We're undecided if we'd leave the horizontal valance and remove only the vertical ones. I'm in favor of recovering all of them, but DW has a different point of view. Time will time how this one goes.
Thank you so much.
Ed:
While I don't know how to remove the valances, I can tell you that if you remove the vertical "valances" in the rear of the lounge, you will find a gap between the end of the blind and the end of the window, at the rear (not the rear window, but both side windows).
If you don't sleep or dress in that area you may not have a privacy issue, otherwise you will if lights are on.
Also, and I don't recall if your vintage MB (a couple of years newer than ours), has the drawstring shade on the rear window. If so, please note that the vertical "valances" at the rear keep that shade closer to the window than if it were not there.
Of course, if you're just reupholstering and reinstalling same, the above points are no longer relevant concerns.
TinaP
2006 MB "Wild Thing"
Soon to come home to get prepped for winter travels!
Many have either removed or redone their valances.
A popular modification is to cut down the side valance's width, providing a wider view while retaining privacy when the shades are drawn.
The valance coverings are fairly simple; cloth, foam and staples. One attractive replacement was made of wood only, painted a matching color.
If sticking with cloth, and you have a large enough air compressor, buy an inexpensive pneumatic staple gun, your hands will thank you.
On the valances I have removed, the sides and top are connected together and come down in one piece.
Remove the 'button' covers, in the bottom of the sides, to find the screws.
Access the top's screws from under the valance, a young neck and a impact screw driver, used with a long extension, makes this job a lot easier. An extra pair of hands is suggested for both removal and replacement.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-Bit-Holder-Set-3-Piece-AR2019G/205193167
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-Cordless-Lithium-Ion-1-4-in-Hex-Impact-Driver-with-1-1-3-Ah-Battery-and-Charger-P1870/205336113
Larry
I am going to take mine down. They are old and dusty and one of them has come down by itself (screws stripped). I intend on doing just wood or maybe another special treatment before putting them back up. I will not be doing fabric as it cannot easily be washed.
Removing valances is the first mod we make on any RV we own. Have for years. The LD was easy, according to my wife who had them off before I could get to it. We don’t mind the tiny strip of window along the side. If anyone is peeping in there they will get to see either nothing, or too much. The increase in window is the goal for us.
Removing valances is the first mod we make on any RV we own. Have for years. The LD was easy, according to my wife who had them off before I could get to it. We don’t mind the tiny strip of window along the side. If anyone is peeping in there they will get to see either nothing, or too much. The increase in window is the goal for us.
Regarding valances, each to his/her own, of course. I like the valances as a breaking-up-the-bare-wall decorating touch although at times they look a little brothelish. I also use them to hang up blackout cloth for sun control where we don't have awning shade. And if you're into kitsch and/or tchotchkes, the valences are a perfect place to display such items.
Chris
"...brothelish..."
Chris
While my spell checker rejects this word and I don't find it in my Funk & Wagnall I still get your drift, why is that? ;D
"...brothelish..."
Chris
While my spell checker rejects this word and I don't find it in my Funk & Wagnall I still get your drift, why is that? ;D
Perhaps "brothel-ish" was a bit too hyperbolic. Maybe fru fru-ish would be more appropriate.
Chris
"...brothelish..."
Chris
While my spell checker rejects this word and I don't find it in my Funk & Wagnall I still get your drift, why is that? ;D
My only experience with such decor was
The Cheyenne Social Social Club with Jimmy Stewart & Henry Fonda (saw it on AMC again last year; my dad's favorite line was "You don't care what you walk on, do you Harley?")...I thought it was rather tastefully done--but, then, I like my valances, too. ;D
Good luck with your latest project, Ed & Margee...one of these trips I want to make time for an introduction to Miss Katie Belle.
Lynne
Are there any other LDOs who have removed and/or recovered any of their valances? For those who have could you post a pic of the results? And finally, I've spent a good amount of time trying to figure out how to remove the valances and that step it still a mystery to me. And suggestions for this last step?
Here is what I did, see pix. NOTE; my bus is a '92 and re-sale value is not a factor for me.
I can only attest to how to remove the whole unit, not just the cloth cover. Remove roller shades and sit with your back to the window and look up into the top-most box portion. Mine had six, 3 inch long wood screws just in that area. After the first one, I learned how to use a power screwdriver and that only makes it a little easier. There are also screws along the sides and at the base. With some of those, you will have to pop the button top off, to get to the screw head.
For privacy I put self-made window cling silhouettes on the kitchen windows and for the other 3 side windows with screens, I made a simple led strip that runs on batteries, hangs off the roller shade and prevents a view into the bus at night as well as lighting the area outside the window.
I only boondock when away from my property, in deserted areas by myself, and I like to have the shades up and windows open at night, so this setup is specific to my needs (safety and fresh air). .
I think the light strips might be considered "rude" if there were other campers within 150 yards or less. When I do pull the shades, the windows are closed so they sit flush and provide the same level of privacy as they did with the boxes/valances.
Alice, you've come up with some pretty creative tweaks to enhance the livability of your rig.
P.S. I covet your galley sink! ;)
Here is what I did, see pix. NOTE; my bus is a '92 and re-sale value is not a factor for me.
I can only attest to how to remove the whole unit, not just the cloth cover. Remove roller shades and sit with your back to the window and look up into the top-most box portion. Mine had six, 3 inch long wood screws just in that area. After the first one, I learned how to use a power screwdriver and that only makes it a little easier. There are also screws along the sides and at the base. With some of those, you will have to pop the button top off, to get to the screw head.
For privacy I put self-made window cling silhouettes on the kitchen windows and for the other 3 side windows with screens, I made a simple led strip that runs on batteries, hangs off the roller shade and prevents a view into the bus at night as well as lighting the area outside the window.
I only boondock when away from my property, in deserted areas by myself, and I like to have the shades up and windows open at night, so this setup is specific to my needs (safety and fresh air). .
I think the light strips might be considered "rude" if there were other campers within 150 yards or less. When I do pull the shades, the windows are closed so they sit flush and provide the same level of privacy as they did with the boxes/valances.
"Here is what I did, see pix. NOTE; my bus is a '92 and re-sale value is not a factor for me".Nice work, Alice, except it looks more like a Lazy Daze, LD, coach, or motorhome rather than a "bus". Where did you come up with that term anyway?Chris
After the first one, I learned how to use a power screwdriver and that only makes it a little easier.
Now that you've started down the slippery slope of power assistance, something like this (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-Cordless-Lithium-Ion-1-4-in-Hex-Impact-Driver-with-1-1-3-Ah-Battery-and-Charger-P1870/205336113) may be your next step.
"Bus" Looks really great.
Joel
Now that you've started down the slippery slope of power assistance, something like this (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-18-Volt-ONE-Cordless-Lithium-Ion-1-4-in-Hex-Impact-Driver-with-1-1-3-Ah-Battery-and-Charger-P1870/205336113) may be your next step.
"Bus" Looks really great.
Joel
My hubby actually allows me to use his tools!! He has one of those big power screw drivers, but I like the one he has that is only slightly larger than a regular screw driver and you can use it with a straight body or fold down the end into a handle. Can't ruin anything with that one!!
And thank you!!!, Magic is slowly getting there!! Got the blazin'-amazin' LED front, side and rear marker lights installed and working.
I hired a man to install 2 new MAXXAir covered fans, remove all the old sealant on the entire roof, re apply new sealant and paint the entire roof with several coats of KoolCoat.
He comes to the house to do the work, is scrupulously honest and does excellent work!!! I feel like I hit the lottery!!
Best of all, he is willing to let me observe and teach me how to do stuff!! NO not kidding!! (and he doesn't charge extra for such annoyances!!) ;) I did offer to pay him more.
The next time he comes out he's going to teach me how to apply the sealant that goes around the marker lights and how to make super strong crimps in the markerlight wiring so the bus wires don't accidently get left inside the bus wall.
"...re apply new sealant and paint the entire roof with several coats of KoolCoat."
---
Alice, you may want to reconsider this step; IMO, if you don't want to use Eternabond to seal all the roof seams, cleaning, prepping, and using a Dicor seam sealant should do the job. Unless there are holes in the aluminum sheet roof, I wouldn't paint on any product.
YMMV, as always.
"and paint the entire roof with several coats of KoolCoat."
NO, NO, NO, do not do this. Lazy Daze has a tried and proven roof system that should not be modified. Seal the seams okay, with Eternabond or Dicor but never paint the sheet aluminum with anything unless there is bare metal exposed. :(
uote]
Chris;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl9bvuAV-Ao
One must never forget their roots!! :)
Lazy and Joan,
Done deal, last week.
Only dicor products were used, at my request, which he purchased and did not mark up the price for them on the bill.
[quote author=Chris Horst dateNice work, Alice, except it looks more like a Lazy Daze, LD, coach, or motorhome rather than a "bus". Where did you come up with that term anyway?
Chris;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl9bvuAV-Ao
One must never forget their roots!! :)
OK, so it's "Bus", a capitalized name rather than bus a vehicle. That makes more sense.
Chris
OK, so it's "Bus", a capitalized name rather than bus a vehicle. That makes more sense.
Chris
LOL!!! Grammar Nazi!! I am too, so I can't complain!!
Alice, you've come up with some pretty creative tweaks to enhance the livability of your rig.
P.S. I covet your galley sink! ;)
Not sure what a galley sink is but I'm guessing its one with 2 basins? Which I have come to greatly appreciate!!
Here is another tweak that takes about 5 minutes, you might like.
Alice,
Here ya go... just for fun. 😉 Glossary of RV Terms - G (http://changingears.com/rv-sec-learn-glossary_g.shtml)
Kent
So, "Bus" works as it's a label rather than an instance of a generic group.
Considering all that you have done, and continue doing to it, the moniker "Magic" (or "Magik" :o ) would also work.
Going to take a closer look at your range light, I agree about it's delusion of adequacy .
Joel
I sure hope this clears things up and relieves the stress!!! :P 8) ;)
Alice,
Here ya go... just for fun. 😉 Glossary of RV Terms - G (http://changingears.com/rv-sec-learn-glossary_g.shtml)
Kent
AH HA!!! Now I get it!! I was thinking "galley sink" referred to a STYLE of sink, not the sink's location!
Probably because the word galley, to me, is a boat's kitchen area.
Never considered using it for the kitchen in a BUS!!! .............. ;D ;) Sorry, I just could not resist!!!